Magisterial District Courts are the first level of Pennsylvania's court system. In Delaware County they sit within the 32nd Judicial District, and each is assigned specific municipalities, wards or precincts. District Court 32-2-51 is assigned East Lansdowne Borough and Upper Darby Township Ward 5 (Precincts 2, 4, 5, 6, 8), Ward 6 (Precincts 6, 7, 8, 11) and Ward 7 (Precincts 1, 6, 7, 9).
In criminal matters, a Magisterial District Judge may handle preliminary arraignments, set initial bail when acting as the bail authority, issue certain warrants and hold preliminary hearings. District courts also hear summary, traffic and some civil matters, but this guide focuses on criminal cases and bail.
Courts 32-1-33, 32-1-34 and 32-2-51 are all listed at Barclay Square. Sharing a building does not merge their territories: 32-2-51 hears only East Lansdowne and its listed Upper Darby precincts, so a notice that says Barclay Square still needs its district number checked.
When a case is held for court after a preliminary hearing, it moves to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media for formal arraignment, motions, pleas, trial and sentencing.